Why source from Japan
Hitomebore was developed at Miyagi Agricultural Experiment Station 1991; second most-cultivated rice variety after Koshihikari; cold-tolerant for Tōhoku.
Key spec
Amylose 17-19%; protein 5-7%; smaller grain than Koshihikari; sweeter cooked profile.
Typical end-product
Bento / onigiri rice for retail, ready-meal export, premium retail.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 100 kg polished
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Miyagi (largest), Iwate, Akita, Fukushima
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- September – October
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; Miyagi regional brand
- Japanese name
- ひとめぼれ
- Romaji
- ひとめぼれ
About this ingredient
Premium Japanese rice cultivar developed 1991 in Miyagi Prefecture as a blast-resistant, cold-tolerant alternative to Koshihikari. Now Japan's second most-cultivated rice variety. Miyagi, Iwate, and Akita lead production. Distinguished by smaller grain size and slightly sweeter cooked-rice profile compared to Koshihikari. Distinct from existing rice cultivar entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; Miyagi regional brand |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; rice-import licensing |
| United States | GRAS; rice-import allowed |
| China | GACC; arsenic compliance |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Hitomebore (Premium Rice Cultivar) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Matcha Powder
抹茶
MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Disclaimer
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Last updated: 2026-05-05